Fluids for 1993 K1500 Manual Trans and Transfer Case

There may be a metal tag riveted to the side of the trans that states the recommended fluid. There are several threads in here on this topic. Be sure you can get the fill plugs out before you pull the drain plugs.

Thanks everyone for the advice.

Randy

Okay, here is a distillation of the info I collected today on transmission lubricating fluids and quantities.
Sources include information I got from you guys as well as some research I did on the internet.

Note that I listed Dexron IV instead of Dexron III-H as originally spect'd by GM for the transfer case.
This is because Dexron IV replaced Dexron III and according to GM is a totally compatible upgrade.
Dexron IV is thinner but has a much improved shear resistance which makes it a markedly superior
lubricant to the Dexron III-H.


Enjoy


Vehicle: 1993 Chevrolet K1500, engine 5.0 V8

Transfer Case (New Process 241C) – Dexron IV.
2 liters (2.11 qts)

Transmission (Getrag NV 3500) - Synchromesh Manual Transmission Fluid. AC Delco, Pennzoil, Valvoline.
2.5 liters (2.64 qts)

rehoward said:

Okay, here is a distillation of the info I collected today on transmission lubricating fluids and quantities.
Sources include information I got from you guys as well as some research I did on the internet.

Note that I listed Dexron IV instead of Dexron III-H as originally spect'd by GM for the transfer case.
This is because Dexron IV replaced Dexron III and according to GM is a totally compatible upgrade.
Dexron IV is thinner but has a much improved shear resistance which makes it a markedly superior
lubricant to the Dexron III-H.


Enjoy


Vehicle: 1993 Chevrolet K1500, engine 5.0 V8

Transfer Case (New Process 241C) – Dexron IV.
2 liters (2.11 qts)

Transmission (Getrag NV 3500) - Synchromesh Manual Transmission Fluid. AC Delco, Pennzoil, Valvoline.
2.5 liters (2.64 qts)

Click to expand...

DO NOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCE USE DEXRON VI IN YOUR TRANSFER CASE (OR ANYONE ELSE READING)


GM did NOT make dexron VI totally compatible

A/T - DEXRON(R)-VI Fluid Information​

INFORMATION

Bulletin No.: 04-07-30-037E

Date: April 07, 2011

Subject: Release of DEXRON(R)-VI Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF)

Models:
2008 and Prior GM Passenger Cars and Light Duty Trucks
2003-2008 HUMMER H2
2006-2008 HUMMER H3
2005-2007 Saturn Relay
2005 and Prior Saturn L-Series
2005-2007 Saturn ION
2005-2008 Saturn VUE with 4T45-E
2005-2008 Saab 9-7X

Except 2008 and Prior Chevrolet Aveo, Equinox
Except 2006 and Prior Chevrolet Epica
Except 2007 and Prior Chevrolet Optra
Except 2008 and Prior Pontiac Torrent, Vibe, Wave
Except 2003-2005 Saturn ION with CVT or AF23 Only
Except 1991-2002 Saturn S-Series
Except 2008 and Prior Saturn VUE with CVT, AF33 or 5AT (MJ7/MJ8) Transmission Only
Except 2008 Saturn Astra

Attention:
DEXRON(R)-VI Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF) is the only approved fluid for warranty repairs for General Motors transmissions/transaxles requiring DEXRON(R)-III and/or prior DEXRON(R) transmission fluids.

Supercede:
This bulletin is being revised to update information. Please discard Corporate Bulletin Number 04-07-30-037D (Section 07 - Transmission/Transaxle).

MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS / TRANSFER CASES and POWER STEERING

The content of this bulletin does not apply to manual transmissions or transfer cases. Any vehicle that previously required DEXRON(R)-III for a manual transmission or transfer case should now use P/N 88861800. This fluid is labeled Manual Transmission and Transfer Case Fluid. Some manual transmissions and transfer cases require a different fluid. Appropriate references should be checked when servicing any of these components.

Power Steering Systems should now use P/N 9985010 labeled Power Steering Fluid.

Consult the Parts Catalog, Owner's Manual, or Service Information (SI) for fluid recommendations.

Some of our customers and/or General Motors dealerships/Saturn Retailers may have some concerns with DEXRON(R)-VI and DEXRON(R)-III Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF) and transmission warranty claims. DEXRON(R)-VI is the only approved fluid for warranty repairs for General Motors transmissions/transaxles requiring DEXRON(R)-III and/or prior DEXRON(R) transmission fluids (except as noted above). Please remember that the clean oil reservoirs of the J-45096 - Flushing and Flow Tester machine should be purged of DEXRON(R)-III and filled with DEXRON(R)-VI for testing, flushing or filling General Motors transmissions/transaxles (except as noted above).

DEXRON(R)-VI can be used in any proportion in past model vehicles equipped with an automatic transmission/transaxle in place of DEXRON(R)-III (i.e. topping off the fluid in the event of a repair or fluid change). DEXRON(R)-VI is also compatible with any former version of DEXRON(R) for use in automatic transmissions/transaxles.

DEXRON(R)-VI ATF

General Motors Powertrain has upgraded to DEXRON(R)-VI ATF with the start of 2006 vehicle production.

Current and prior automatic transmission models that had used DEXRON(R)-III must now only use DEXRON(R)-VI.

All 2006 and future model transmissions that use DEXRON(R)-VI are to be serviced ONLY with DEXRON(R)-VI fluid.

DEXRON(R)-VI is an improvement over DEXRON(R)-III in the following areas:

Good info. A number of folks on the web think otherwise and probably are unaware of this publication, such as I was.
I think confusion may arise from the fact that GM says in this publication "DEXRON(R)-VI is an improvement over DEXRON(R)-III in the following areas:"
and then lists "light duty trucks". That is very misleading I would say.

It looks like GM is recommending P/N 88861800 "Manual Transmission and Transfer Case Fluid" as a one-size-fits-all
solution for my truck. I found it sold locally at a GM dealer for $12 a quart.

The only manual trans that came in 1500’s and LIGHT DUTY 2500’s was the NV3500–it requires GM Synchromesh Transmission Fluid 10-4006, made by Penzoil at the time, I believe Valvoline currently makes it (both companies have offered the same fluid under their own label.

NP241C transfer case requires Dexron III, I think you may be misinterpreting/confusing transfer case with transmission/transaxle. If there has been a change in that requirement it’s a recent change.

I see 1997 beat me to it.

alpinecrick said:

The only manual trans that came in 1500’s and LIGHT DUTY 2500’s was the NV3500

Click to expand...

No sir.. you could absolutely order the light trucks with the NV4500. That's why it's important to determine which transmission you've got before you choose the fluid.

My 1994 GMC C1500 with factory-optioned NV4500. RPO MT8 of course for the early version with the tall 1st/reverse gearing. Uncommon for sure in a 1500, but they're out there.







Richard

rehoward said:

It looks like GM is recommending P/N 88861800 "Manual Transmission and Transfer Case Fluid" as a one-size-fits-all
solution for my truck. I found it sold locally at a GM dealer for $12 a quart.

Click to expand...

Yes, which if you remember is what i recommended early on in this thread